Barcelona Transfer News: Cesc Fabregas Exit to Chelsea Blasted by Cristian Tello

Cristian Tello has criticised Barcelona's handling of Cesc Fabregas' departure, saying the Spanish midfielder didn't receive the exit he "deserved" after serving his boyhood club for three years.

Fabregas secured a summer move to Chelsea, where he continues to lead the Blues' Premier League title hopes with consistently excellent performances.

Tello, who currently resides on loan from Barca at Porto, believes the 27-year-old was mistreated at the end of his Camp Nou spell, as reported by Sport (via Nick Lustig of the Daily Star): "Cesc didn't leave the club as he deserved. He left through the back door. He was a spectacular player, you only have to see the goals and assists from his time at Barca. I suppose he will be hurting because his dream was to triumph at Barcelona."

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The Blaugrana posted a bizarre and somewhat unfair assessment of Fabregas' second tenure with the club upon his departure. An official statement criticised the player who suffered a "downward trend in his stats every season," as reported by FourFourTwo. The goodbye continued: "From being someone who joined in with the attack, supplying and scoring goals, the magic tended to fade later on in each season. He only scored one, six and one goals in the last 24 games of each season. For some reason, he was never as good in the second half of a season as in the first."

Fabregas has taken no time at all to once again show his qualities in the Premier League. The creative midfielder has seven assists in as many matches this campaign and recently scored in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Schalke, per WhoScored.com.

To put his current numbers in perspective, check the table below:

	League/European Apps.	Goals	Assists
Current season (with Chelsea)	9	1	8
2013-14 (with Barca)	35 (10)	9	14
2012-13	36 (4)	12	11
2011-12	30 (7)	10	11

Fabregas' partnership with fellow new signing Diego Costa has propelled Chelsea to the top of the domestic division. Jose Mourinho's side remain unbeaten after seven matches and are five points clear of Manchester City, their closest rivals.

Chelsea are averaging three goals per game this season—the current highest of any Premier League club—while their defence is currently joint second with an average of one being conceded per game.

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Such excellent form adds to the sense of what could have been for Fabregas at Barca. Now, Xavi Hernandez has slowed considerably—something we can expect from Andres Iniesta soon—Fabregas could have been the perfect long-term heir to dominating Barca's midfield.

While the club allowed one potential successor in Thiago Alcantara leave last year, it was perhaps more of a surprise that Fabregas moved on before the current campaign, particularly because he yearned for a return to Barcelona during his Arsenal days. 

Despite winning five trophies during his time in Catalonia, it's fair to say he never quite appeared a natural fit in the squad's current state.

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Fabregas needs greater freedom to express himself and found his ability to inject speed into play stifled by Barca's regimented style. He isn't the type of individual, like Xavi, who can work at walking pace. Fabregas is best when he receives possession, looks up and quickly decides how to progress play forward.

This is regularly being highlighted at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho has given Fabregas the responsibility he needs to shine. The Spaniard has responded excellently since having his shackles removed and looks set to top the Premier League assists chart at the conclusion of the current campaign.

Having become the first man to set up six goals in six consecutive matches, it will be interesting to see whether Barca's suggestion that Fabregas falls away from form will come to light. His performances will play a major part in Chelsea's success or failure heading into May, a measure of the new arrival's instant impact.